Poly Surfboard vs Epoxy Surfboard. When Should You Ride Either One of These? Shralp Story Episode 31

Episode 31 SHRALP STORIES. We are on No.5 of TECH TIPS with Uncle Kolty. In this one I am going to cover the basic characteristics of what you can expect when riding a Poly board vs an Epoxy board. Even when the boards are almost the same, these two constructions have such a different feel. After going for a surf this A.M. we will head back to Sharp HQ and review the footage and break things down for you so you can see the differences between these two constructions. Enjoy the #surfing
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[@clearthejunk]

Uncle Kolty ....we see you taking off on fast breaking hollow waves. Can you do video on your process of taking off and popping up? Thanks in advance.

[@used_surf]

We did it...did you see the episode?

[@raycaballero6386]

Great show, I like the breakdown on the performance difference between the boards. You really got a nice command on the waves at the creek. A stand out for sure

[@used_surf]

Glad you enjoyed it! Much appreciated.🙏🤙🙏

[@pedropiano]

The Best Explanation on this topic !

[@used_surf]

Thank you🤙👍🙏

[@HelenofTravel]

Thanks for the helpful video! Enjoyed the video. Very entertaining and made me laugh!

[@used_surf]

Sick.... Glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful!

[@stuartgaylor2420]

Rather than get mad just educate the grom. Great insight to what you top guys feel under your feet.

[@used_surf]

True true. Thanks glad you liked the info!

[@thebensman9786]

Very SHReducational! I grew up on poly boards but love expoxy except for when it’s offshore because it’s sometimes harder to paddle into waves. I discovered USED SURF in 2018/2019 and love the place because they give fair deals and the kids there all rip, know what they’re talking about and are helpful/friendly. Plus, I sometimes sell off used fins and the fellas there always give me a fair price. Full BROfessionalism

[@Singlefinsurfingforlife]

Had that same issue went back to pu

[@thebensman9786]

@@Singlefinsurfingforlife no doubt. Here in brOceanside expoxy works 9 out of 10 times but on the rare occasion we have howling offshore winds they become useless

[@used_surf]

Yeah I agree. Offshore or bigger waves, a light light board does not have enough inertia and will slow down easier for sure. Good observation! Thanks for kind words for Usedsurf. The description of thoughts and your experience at our store is what we strive for so thank you🙏🙏🙏

[@thebensman9786]

@@used_surf thank you 🙏 fellas !

[@jblo76]

Nice vid. Epoxy is my go-to 90% of the time here in SoCal. PU for those strong offshore days that you and others have mentioned. I prefer stringered epoxies because to me it adds just the right amount of weight and structure, and isn’t overly floaty.

[@used_surf]

Yeah makes perfect sense. Love it! Thanks for sharing🤙👍🙏

[@mattcarlson5345]

Had been considering dumping my poly RNF for an epoxy but after this I think I’ll keep it a bit longer. Super helpful info for a newer surfer

[@migsy3302]

Love this reviews!!!! YEEEEEEWWWW 🤙🏼

[@used_surf]

Gracias Amigo👍🤘🙏

[@Lakesurfer618]

So far I only have one board since I live far from the coast and it is epoxy. However I like fat trucks and a heavy board while skating so I can imagine I would enjoy the feeling of a poly quite a bit. This was an awesome tech tips episode!

[@used_surf]

🔥🤙🙏

[@MichaelJDay]

Good comparisons! I started surfing in the mid 90´s with PU boards. When FireWire´s came out I started riding more of their variations of epoxy when I rode waves in San Diego county. Having moved to Portugal, most of the waves I ride in Portugal have lots of power and energy and I have had good days and bad days with my boards like the Cymatic, Dominator II and Revo. But, I am at a point, where I really miss having some PU boards in my quiver because I want the board to have more momentum getting into the waves, more predictability and some weight to hold the line. I have definitely experienced all the characteristics of epoxy boards you described. From my perspective riding epoxy shortboards for 10+ years in many types of waves; they are a good setup for mushy to average waves. Any waves that have power and speed forget it unless you want to feel like you have manic speed, skipping around and so much speed it gets hard to even control. Even to this day, I miss some takeoffs because the moment I stop paddling, the forward momentum stops with the epoxy board (less weight = less momentum continuation). Given the costs of surfboards, I do appreciate the durability of epoxy boards but like you discussed, there are all tradeoffs and caveats. Now, it´s time for me to go find a fun PU daily driver board!

[@used_surf]

Yeah you nailed it on your assessment. I agree with a lot of what your saying.and notice the same things your mentioning about both constructions. Firewires are at the extreme end being crazy light. Sometimes you can get a stringered 2.0lb eps foam, glass it double 4 on the deck and single 6 on the bottom and end up with a good middle ground epoxy board that ends up between a poly and a crazy light FireWire.

[@MichaelJDay]

@@used_surf Thanks for the info! Happy New Year!🎊

[@anchormanagement9017]

Uncle Kolty!! What about carbon fiber boards for surfing?

[@inFAMOUSBeatsGFx]

🔥

[@MrRobinski]

Mabey if your epoxy board had less tail rocker might have felt a bit more steady?

[@used_surf]

Epoxy does flex a little more.. especially glassed all 4oz. So could be a little something to that theory👍🤘🙏

[@devswell6538]

When epoxys age a bit they actually gain a lot of different flex profile and feel more poly. If you pick up a firewire from like 2016 right now it feels way flexier. I was a shop grom poly dog through and through because I had unlimited access to them but now I just put my heels through them so I’ll probably keep going eps on my daily drivers.

[@used_surf]

Nice insight.. thanks for sharing 🔥🤘🙏🙏

[@bonsummers2657]

I found lite glassed EPS lack speed, like paddle glide. Even Dennis Pang mentions that on his vid from this year about EPS vs. PU.

[@used_surf]

Yeah sometimes when a board is crazy light it doesn't have inertia. There's definitely some validity to that theory. Maybe a clean small wave secret weapon would be cool when they're super light but anything other than that you might want a little more weight

[@Windds]

If you surf Great Lakes go with thick expoxy more volume means more speed

[@used_surf]

Yes, that definitely makes sense!

[@omriv1662]

What about pu foam with epoxy resin

[@used_surf]

Yeah there is that whole thing. Not as common. But worth having a look at for comparison

[@bsmbB]

That donkey with the red board saw you coming and bailed with the board in your path. It's not a big wave just hold your rail saver if you can't get to your board and duck dive it so it doesn't turn sideways and get in someone's way

[@used_surf]

👍🤙

[@bonsummers2657]

Glass heavier on EPS. 4/4/4 sux on EPS, too light, lacks glide momentum. Per GregLoehr go: 6/6/4/4 on an EPS blank, at least 6/6/6. That way it's like PU.

[@used_surf]

Yeah you can't do that but what you find is that the increase in fiberglass thickness kills the flex in the board.. 4 x 4 with 6 on bottom can be a good idea but any more than that I think your killing flex

[@AEVMU]

What wetsuit is that?

[@koltonsullivan8530]

It’s from a company called ipd. The new thing

[@tadashiyoshida3674]

Kolt , come to the dark side😆👽

[@used_surf]

Haha

[@jakewetzel3186]

ya dude you rip so hard. that surf sesh was a zoo. Uncle kolty the zoologist navigating the kooks

[@used_surf]

Hahaha🤙🙏🙏

[@WillStinton]

Epoxy board - leash = 🚀

[@used_surf]

🤙🤘🙏

[@yl7679]

Tried lib tech yet? They’re heavy and feel slow and “very true to line”

[@used_surf]

I got try one...just to see

[@yl7679]

@@used_surf pls do and report back. Would love to hear what you think ...

[@vishalontheline]

lol. Nah, man - the right move was to dodge it - no sense damaging your own equipment.

[@used_surf]

Good point🤘🙏

[@Disturbentz]

Something tells me you don’t like epoxy boards🤷🏽‍♂️

[@used_surf]

Yeah come to think of it I don't think Kolton has many epoxy boards that we have noticed.